Lightweight self-contained self-expanding product data package

Abstract

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a data structure, method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for representing data in a self-expanding data package. The package comprises one or more basic table data having zero, one or more table rows, a set of one or more constant lists having one or more values, and one or more row validation calculations. Use of the set of constant lists and row validation calculations provides a mechanism for compact data storage, wherein the self-expanding data package may be expanded. To expand the package, each list member of a constant list is combined with all other basic table rows and additional list members to produce every possible combination of table rows. Row validation calculations are applied to test validity of each tow, and only those expanded table tows that are valid appear in the expanded table.

1. A self-expanding product data package for product data comprising:
 the self-expanding product data package on a non-transitory medium; 
 basic table data having one or more table rows, wherein each row represents a partial definition of a product; 
 a set of one or more constant lists having one or more values; and 
 one or more row validation calculations; 
 wherein use of the set of constant lists and row validation calculations provides a mechanism for compact data storage, wherein the self-expanding data package is capable of expansion into an expanded table having expanded table rows wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination such that: 
 for each constant list of values, every list member is combined with all other basic table rows and additional list members to produce every possible combination; and 
 the row validation calculations are applied to test validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
 
     
     
       2. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  further comprising a calculation utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that is used in one or more row validation calculations. 
     
     
       3. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  further comprising a calculation utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       4. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       5. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein the one or more of the row validation calculations provide for eliminating duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       6. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein the basic table data, set of one or more constant lists, and one or more row validation calculations are specified using extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       7. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein the row validation calculations are selected through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       8. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein the self-expanding data package is transmitted across a network. 
     
     
       9. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein one or more row validation calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       10. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein an editor provides an ability to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       11. The self-expanding product data package of  claim 1  wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       12. A method for generating product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system comprising:
 generating one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists and storing said one or more values in the self-expanding data package, wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data; 
 generating one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists and storing said one or more calculations in the self-expanding data package; 
 transmitting the self-expanding data package to a second computer system that expands the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising, generating one or more basic table data having one or more table rows, and storing said one or more basic table data in the self expanding data package, wherein the self-expanding data package is further expanded by combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more calculations are applied to test validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that is used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more calculations provide for eliminating duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more calculations are selected through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the self-expanding data package is transmitted across a network. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 12 , wherein an editor is used to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 12 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       25. A method for utilizing product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system comprising:
 receiving a self-expanding data package comprising one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists and one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists, wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data; 
 expanding the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the self-expanding data package further comprises one or more basic table data having one or more table rows; and 
 the expanding further comprises combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 one or more calculations test validity of the expanded table rows; and 
 only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27 , wherein one or more calculations perform a precursor conditional test that is used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 25 , wherein one or more calculations provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 25 , wherein one or more calculations eliminate duplicate rows or otherwise apply business rules to eliminate unwanted rows in the resulting expanded table. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 25 , wherein one or more calculations are selected through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 25 , wherein the self-expanding data package is received from across a network. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 25 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 25 , wherein an editor provides an ability to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 25 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       38. An apparatus for generating product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system comprising:
 (a) a computer system having a non-transitory memory and a data storage device coupled thereto; 
 (b) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer system, for generating a self-expanding data package and storing the self-expanding data package in the memory, wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data and comprises:
 (i) one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists; and 
 (ii) one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists; 
 
 wherein the self-expanding data package is transmitted to a second computer system that expands the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein:
 the self-expanding data package further comprises one or more basic table data having one or more table rows; and 
 the self-expanding data package is further expanded by combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein one or more calculations are applied to test validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that can be used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein one or more calculations provide for eliminating duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of  claim 38 , further comprising a graphical user interface displayed by the computer system for selecting the one or more calculations. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the one or more computer programs are further configured to transmit the self-expanding data package across a network. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein one or more of the computer programs comprise an editor that is used to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       51. An apparatus for utilizing product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system comprising:
 (a) a computer system having a non-transitory memory and a data storage device coupled thereto; 
 (b) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer system, for receiving a self-expanding data package stored in the memory, wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data and the self-expanding data package comprises:
 (i) one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists; and 
 (ii) one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists; and 
 
 (c) one or more computer programs, performed by the computer system, for expanding the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein:
 the self-expanding data package further comprises basic table data having one or more table rows; and 
 the computer program is further configured to expand the self-expanding data package by combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein one or more calculations are applied to test validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that is used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       56. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein one or more calculations provide for eliminating duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of  claim 51 , further comprising a graphical user interface displayed by the computer system for selecting the one or more calculations. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the self-expanding data package is received from across a network. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of  claim 51 , further comprising an editor performed by the computer system that provides an ability to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       64. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for generating product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system, the method comprising:
 generating, in the self-expanding data package, one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists, wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data; 
 generating, in the self-expanding data package, one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists; 
 wherein the self-expanding data package is transmitted to a second computer system that expands the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       65. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , the method further comprising, generating, in the self-expanding data package, basic table data having one or more table rows, wherein the self-expanding data package is further expanded by combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
     
     
       66. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein one or more calculations are applied to test a validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
     
     
       67. The article of manufacture of  claim 66 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that is used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       68. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       69. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       70. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein one or more calculations eliminate duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       71. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       72. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein one or more calculations are selected through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       73. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting the self-expanding data package across a network. 
     
     
       74. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       75. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein an editor is used to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       76. The article of manufacture of  claim 64 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data. 
     
     
       77. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for utilizing product data in a self-expanding data package in a computer system, the method comprising:
 (a) receiving a self-expanding data package wherein the self-expanding data package is for product data and the self-expanding data package comprises:
 (i) one or more values in a set of one or more constant lists; and 
 (ii) one or more calculations that operate on one or more values in the set of one or more constant lists; and 
 
 (b) expanding the self-expanding data package into an expanded table having expanded table rows, wherein each expanded table row represents a product and comprises a combination and each combination is generated by combining every value in each constant list with any combination of values from remaining parameters and performing the one or more calculations on the one or more values, wherein the one or more calculations eliminate one more expanded table rows. 
 
     
     
       78. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein:
 the self-expanding data package further comprises basic table data having one or more table rows; and 
 the self-expanding data package is further expanded by combining every value in each constant list with each basic table row. 
 
     
     
       79. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein one or more calculations are applied to test validity of the expanded table rows, and only those expanded table rows that are valid are maintained in the expanded table. 
     
     
       80. The article of manufacture of  claim 79 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to perform a precursor conditional test that is used to test validity of the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       81. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein one or more calculations are utilized to provide additional data used in the expanded table. 
     
     
       82. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein the self-expanding data package comprises product data for use in a computer-aided design application. 
     
     
       83. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein one or more calculations provide for eliminating duplicate expanded table rows. 
     
     
       84. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein the self-expanding data package is written in extensible markup language (XML). 
     
     
       85. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein one or more calculations are selected through a graphical user interface. 
     
     
       86. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein the self-expanding data package is received from across a network. 
     
     
       87. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein one or more calculations comprise one or more filters that limit results displayed from the expanded table rows. 
     
     
       88. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein an editor provides an ability to directly edit the self-expanding data package. 
     
     
       89. The article of manufacture of  claim 77 , wherein logic for expanding the data package into the expanded table is fully defined within the data package and the data.